How to Grow Berry Plants Inside Bird Cages

Strawberry plants are attractive in a hanging planter.

Growing strawberry plants in a bird cage produces sweet red fruit in a beautiful hanging planter outdoors. This method of planting berries takes little room and is suitable for small areas, as the plants grow vertically instead of horizontally. Strawberry plants grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. Plant your ever bearing plants in spring and June bearers in the late summer or fall for harvest the following spring.

1

Place a small piece of cheesecloth over the drainage hole in the bottom of a plastic strawberry pot. This keeps the soil from leaking out the bottom of the pot. You can substitute a small piece of screen for the cheesecloth with the same results.

2

Place a layer of gravel about 2 inches deep in the bottom of the strawberry pot.

3

Fill the strawberry pot up to the first set of holes on the exterior with potting soil. Insert a strawberry plant into each outside hole. Spread the roots out gently, with the crown just above the soil level. Cover the upper roots with about 1/4 inch of potting soil. Fill the pot with potting soil up to the next level of exterior holes. Repeat this process until you reach the top of the pot.

4

Space two or three strawberry plants in the top of the pot, spread their roots outward and fill with potting soil up to the first set of leaves on the strawberry plants.

5

Place the strawberry pot outdoors. Fill a watering can with a small, long spout up with water. Place the spout in the top of the pot and water the plants. Water each of the side plants also. Allow the excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot.

6

Open a bird cage door and place one hand inside. Slide out the tray on the bottom of the cage with your other hand. Lift the planter up through the bottom and grasp it with your hand in the cage. Replace the tray and set the planter down on the bottom of the cage. Close the cage door and hang it outdoors in an area of full sun for eight hours per day.

7

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy throughout the growing season.

8

Fertilize the strawberries about six weeks after planting them with a berry fertilizer. Add additional berry fertilizer according to the package directions when the leaves turn light green and growth diminishes.

9

Train the runners through the bars of the bird cage as they grow.

Things You Will Need

Strawberry pot (plastic)

Cheesecloth

Gravel

Potting soil

Strawberry plants

Water

Watering can

Berry fertilizer

Tip

Plastic strawberry pots are lightweight and best for growing hanging berries.